Column clamp



May 2, 1933. E. F. JUERGENSEN COLUMN CLAMP Filed March 24, 1950 @Vezi $02 @726 2 iiegezzseza.

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Patented May 2, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT; OFFICE ERNEST r. JUERGENSEN, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AssIeNoa'on ONE-HALF To CHARLES S. BURTON, 01 OAK PARK, ILLINOIS COLUMN GLAM]? Application filed March 24, 1930. $eria1 No.438,257.

This invention relates to improvements in clamps for concrete forms, and more particularly toclamps of the type adapted for firmly securing together the side panel ele- 5 ments constituting the forms for concrete columns and the like. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved clamp of the character mentioned which may be quickly and easily put into place for holding the form boards in close relation and also serving to reinforce the hollow column form during the pouring of the moist concrete mass, as well as while the concrete in these forms hardens. Another object resides in the provision of an improved clamp device in which the engaging parts may be continuously and uniformly advanced in minute amounts for clamping the sides of the form in close engagement with each other, and arranged for positively and firmly holding these arms in such positions of adjustment. Another object resides in the provision of an improved clamp device which is durable, simple and capable of being economically manufactured, and constructed to be quickly applied to or removed from the board panels constituting the forms, and capable of being used over again a great number of times. It consists in certain features and elements of construction, in combination, as herein shown and described, and as indicated by the claim.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a. fragmentary perspective view of parts of the arms of the clamp embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse section taken at line, 2-2, on Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of my improved block.

This invention in general is similar to that disclosed in Eklof Patent No. 1,674,280 dated June 19, 1928. The clamp embodying the present invention is employed in connection with a form for a concrete column or the like which ordinarily consists of a plurality of panels, each of which may be composed of a number of boards, connected together, and reinforced by transverse cleats. These panels are positioned in such relation as to form a hollow structure of any desired cross-section, and the panels are firmly secured in such relation by the clamp devices embodying the present invention. I l The clamp is composed of a plurality of units, herein shown as two, each of-iwhich includes a pair of arms, 15, of relatively flat bar stock, which are. pivotally connected together. A substantial portion of the end of each arm remote fromthe pivotal connection 60 is provided with a series of longitudinally spaced elongated apertures, 17, arranged in two parallel rows with the apertures of the respective rows offset in staggered relation to each other. These clamp units are dis posed with the pivot connection adjacent a corner so that the arms of each unit engage a pair of adjacent side panels, of the form, and with the adjacent arms of a pair of units, co-operating with each other to form a corner, said arms projecting beyond the intersection of theadjacent panels, transversely of each other and in overlapping relation. Slidably mounted onthe'end of one of the arms of eachunit is a block, 35, constructed for embracing the overlapping portions of the co-operating arm.

Each of these blocks is formed with a longitudinal guideway, 36, for receiving the particular arm with which it is associated, andthe inner, end of this block is formed with a pair of parallel lips or flanges, 37, positioned 011 opposite sides of the guideway, 86, and spaced apart a proper distance so that thetransversely extending co-operating arm may be positioned between these flanges, either above or below the arm on which saidblock is slidably disposed, whichfacilitates the application of the clamp to the panels of the form. The lateral portions of the flanges, 37, are preferably cut back at an angle of 45 degrees or less, as indicated at 38, so that the flanges of the respective blocks when brought in close proximity to each other (as seen in Figure 1) will not interfere with each other. The outer ends of these blocks which extend transversely of their respective arms also provide shoulders or stop surfaces, 40, adapted to be engaged by the wedge elements, of the type disclosed in the above mentioned patent, for advancing the blocks on the transverse arms in substantially the same manner as described in said patent. By successively employing two wedges 25 for engaging alternately the apertures in the respective rows: in said arms the blocks may be gradually and continuously advanced by minute amounts along said arms, thereby drawingthe transversely extending panels of the form more closely together and into closer relation with the adjacent cooperating panels. 7

It has been found in using clamps of this nature to be more expedient if the movement of said blocks along the two arms is effected alternatively so that the-final takeup stresses on these arms will be about equal, thereby preventing one of the panels being forced out of. position which would necessitate removal of the wedge elements and separation of the cooperating arms for re-adjustment of the panels. By virtueof the elongated apertures and the wedges it is manifest that as the blocks are advanced along the arms by the wedges said blocks will be definitely held in any position of advancement. This feature is of considerable importance, in that after the panels constituting the form have been firmly set in position they are held in that position during theentire period of time that the form is used i. e., while receivingthe moist concrete and during the hardening of the concr'etetherein.

I claim Ina clamp for the purpose indicated in eluding a pair of co-ope'ratin-g arms which havepo-rtions extending transversely of each other in overlapping relation to form a corner, a block for slidably mounting on each of said arms constructed toembrace the other arm adjacent the' overlapping portions, and means engageable with the arms and their respective blocks for advancing the latter along the former and adapted for holding said blocks against outward movement on their respective arms, said blocks each having a central guideway for its arm and being provided with afipair of parallel forwardly extending flanges at opposite sides of the guideway and spaced apart at a distance to form guideways between the sides of said arm and the spaced flanges for accommodating the other or transverse arm in either of said last mentioned guid eways.

ERNEST F. JUER'GENSEN. 

